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Melt flow control in a multistrand tundish using a turbulence inhibitor

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Abstract

Water modeling and mathematical simulation techniques were used to study the melt flow under the influence of turbulence inhibitors in a multistrand bloom caster tundish. Three different cases were studied: a bare tundish (BT), a tundish with two pairs of baffles and a waved impact pad (BWIP), and a tundish equipped with turbulence inhibitor and a pair of dams (TI&D). Chemical mixing of tracer turbulence diffusion was also simulated and compared with actual experimental results. The TI&D arrangement showed an improvement of the fluid flow characteristics, yielding better tracer distribution among the outlets, lower values of back mixing flow, and higher values of plug flow. A mass transfer model coupled with k-ɛ turbulence model predicted acceptably well the experimental chemical mixing of the tracer in the water model. The water modeling and the numerical simulation indicated that the TI&D arrangement retains the tracer inside the vessel for longer times, increasing the minimum residence time. These results encourage the use of turbulence-inhibiting devices in bloom and billet casters, which pursue excellence in product quality.

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Abbreviations

A :

cross-sectional area

C :

tracer concentration

C i :

tracer concentration at strand i

C 1, C 2, and C D :

constants in the turbulence model

E :

empirical constant in Eq. [16]

E i :

RTD curve at strand i

D m :

molecular tracer diffusivity

D t :

turbulent tracer diffusivity

D eff :

effective tracer diffusivity

G :

generation term (Eq. [10])

k :

turbulent kinetic energy

m i :

mass of tracer exiting through strand i

M :

total mass of tracer injected into the vessel

P :

pressure

Q :

volumetric flow rate

t :

time

t calc :

mean calculated time

V Dead :

dead volume fraction

V Plug :

plug volume fraction

V Mixed :

mixed volume fraction

v + :

as defined in Eq. [17]

u, v, w :

velocity vectors

y + :

as defined in Eq. [18]

ɛ :

dissipation rate of the turbulent kinetic energy

μ :

fluid viscosity

μ eff :

effective fluid viscosity

μ i :

turbulent fluid viscosity

ρ :

fluid density

σ t :

turbulent Schmidt number

σ ɛ :

constant in the k-ɛ model

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Author notes

  1. S. Lopez-Ramirez (Postdoctoral Student)

    Present address: the Department of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering, Institute Polytechnic National, ESIQIE, C.P. 07300, Mexico

Authors and Affiliations

  1. the Department of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering, Institute Polytechnic National, ESIQIE, C.P. 07300, Mexico

    R. D. Morales (Professor) & J. Palafox-Ramos (Postdoctoral Student)

  2. the Materials Graduate Center, Institute Tecnologico de Morelia, C.P. 58120-Morelia, Mexico

    J. de J. Barreto (Professor)

  3. FOSECO INC., 20200 Sheldon Road, 44142, Cleveland, OH

    S. Lopez-Ramirez (Postdoctoral Student) & D. Zacharias (Research Engineer)

Authors
  1. R. D. Morales
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  2. J. Palafox-Ramos
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  3. J. de J. Barreto
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  4. S. Lopez-Ramirez
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  5. D. Zacharias
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Morales, R.D., Palafox-Ramos, J., Barreto, J.d.J. et al. Melt flow control in a multistrand tundish using a turbulence inhibitor. Metall Mater Trans B 31, 1505–1515 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11663-000-0035-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11663-000-0035-x

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